Key travel tips for passengers flying during Lunar New Year 2026 peak
DNO - With passenger numbers expected to rise sharply, ticket prices fluctuating and security procedures tightened during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026 peak, travellers are strongly advised to prepare carefully to avoid delays, unexpected costs and disruptions during the busiest travel season of the year.
During the peak travel period for Tet 2026 holiday, passenger traffic through airports nationwide is expected to increase by 20 - 30% compared with normal days, particularly at major hubs such as Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai and Da Nang international airports.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAAV), during this time, airlines plan to operate more than 36,900 flights nationwide.
This represents a 27% increase compared with the 2025 Tet holiday and is 22% higher than regular flight schedules, marking the largest-ever capacity provided by domestic airlines during a Tet holiday period.
On high-demand routes linking Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi and Da Nang, airlines have added more late-night and early-morning flights to ease congestion.
However, seats on flights during popular time slots are nearly sold out, particularly in economy class. Round-trip ticket prices during peak days range from VND5 million to nearly VND10 million, depending on the route and airline.
In the days leading up to Tet, many flights operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, especially from Ho Chi Minh City to Central Viet Nam, have already run out of available seats.
Da Nang is expected to be one of the busiest destinations during the holiday. From February 14 to February 22, more than 1,500 take-offs and landings are projected at the Da Nang International Airport and nearby airports, up nearly 38% year-on-year.
On average, about 175 flights will be handled daily, including 847 domestic services carrying over 130,000 passengers.
Given the heavy traffic, passengers are advised to arrive at airports earlier than usual, particularly on peak days. Travellers should carefully check that they carry valid identification documents, such as citizen ID cards or passports for international flights.
Children must have original or legally certified copies of birth certificates. Monitoring flight updates, boarding times and gate changes is also essential to avoid missing flights.
Passengers should avoid carrying prohibited items and ensure their carry-on and checked baggage meet weight and size limits to prevent delays and additional charges.
The Da Nang International Airport has implemented identity verification via VNeID combined with facial recognition technology, helping streamline procedures and reduce congestion at security checkpoints.
Travellers are encouraged to activate and update their VNeID accounts in advance for a smoother journey.
With careful preparation, early planning and awareness of key regulations, passengers can ensure a safer, more convenient and stress-free air travel experience during Lunar New Year 2026.